X-ray apparatus.



C. E. CAMPBELL.

X-RAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION- FILED AUG. 7, 1915.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHhtT I.

wm oa C. E. CAMPBELL.

X-RAY APPARATUS. APPLICATION FlLED AuGJ. 1915.

Patented. F6

b. 29, 1916. 3 SHEETS-SHttT 2.

C. E. CAMPBELL. X-R AY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ, 1915. 1,173,409. Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3a 2; if 1 j 105 r? I A CHARLES E. CAMPBELL, O1? LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

X-RAY APPARATUS.

nuance.

Specification of Letters Patent.

yatented Feb. 29.1%155.

Application filed August '7, 1915. Serial No. 44,337.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GHARLEs BELL, a citizenof the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in X-Ray Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others SKlllGd. in the art to which is appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus and more particularlyto a table for X-ray examinations.

The object of the invention is to produce an X-ray apparatus of this character in which the various adjustments for examinations or treatments by X-rays may be quickly and easily made by the operator.

lVith this object in View, the present invention consists in the X-ray apparatus pointed out in the claims, the advantages of which will be apparent to those skilled in the' art from the following description.

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus with the table in a horizontal position; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus with the table in a horizontal position; Fig.8 is a perspective View with the table turned to a vertical position; Fig. 4: is a sectional detail of the combination handle for operating the diaphragms of the tube box; Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing the lock for holding the tube box against transverse movement; F ig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing the counterweight operation of the table; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing one end of the counterweight and its mounting; Fig. 9 is a detail plan view showing the tube box carriage; and Fig. 10 is av detail view showing the mounting of the tube standard.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention. the table 1. upon which the patient is placed, is pivotally supported at 2 upon a table supporting stand 3. The stand 3 is made with two side members or frames -l and 5. The side frame 4 is built up of top and bottom rails 6 and 7 and uprights 8 and 9. The side frame 5 is similarly built up of top and bottom rails 10 and 11' and uprights CAMP- 12 and 13. The two side members are connected by a bottom end rail 14: and cross strap or brace 15 connected between the middle portions of therails 7 and 11, and by the pivotal connections'Q with the table. These three connections rigidly space the side members 1 and 5 apart and at the same time, as hereinafter pointed out, permit the ends of the frame 3 to be open so as not to interfere with the operation of the table;

The central portion of the table is transparent to X-rays and forms an examination area while the end portions 17 and 18 are lead sheathed to form protective areas.

The table 1 may be tilted to any angular position between Horizontal and vertical and locked in such position by means of the foot lock 20 mounted on the cross strap 15 of the supporting stand 3 and engaging a locking segment 21, carried by the table 1.

A tube box 25 is mounted beneath the table 1 so as to move with the table when the table is moved angularly. T hetube box 25 is, however, so attached to the table as to be readily adjustable longitudinally and transversely of the table in order to bring the X-ray tube to the desired position back of the examination area 16. Longitudinal tracks or rails 26 are mounted beneath the table 1 and connected rigidly thereto by means of brackets 27. A carriage 28 is provided with ball bearing rollers 29 which run on the tracks 26 so that the carriage may movelongitudinally of the table. The carriage 28 has two transverse tracks or rails 30. The tube box support 31 is supported by means of ball bearing rollers 32 so as to be moved along the tracks 30 transversely of the table. Bu {fer springs 13 and 1% are provided for limiting the longitudinal and transverse movement of the tube box.

The tube box is locked against transverse movement by means of a lock which engages one of the transverse tracks 30. The locking devicev 33 consists of a shoe 3%. rotatably carried on the end of a rotatably mounted stud 35 which is held in a sleeve 36 carried by the tube box support. The stud Rois provided with an arm I37 extending thrmigh a cam slot 38 in the sleeve 36. By turning the arm 37, the stud is moved longitudinally to bring the shoe 31 against the track 30. The loek is controlled by a link 39 terminating in a handle 4:0 carried at the end of a laterally extending arm or bracket 41 so that the operator may easily manipulate the lock. The tube box is locked against longitudinal movement by a similar lock 42 which bears against one of the longitudinaltracks 26.

In order to preserve the proper balance of the table 1 with the tube box 25v in different positions, a counterweight 50 is provided. The counterweight 50 is mounted to run on the tracks 26 by means of ball bearin'g supporting rollers '60 and is connected with the tube box 25 by means of connecting cables 51 so that longitudinal movements of the tube box will cause corresponding movements f the counterweight so as to au-' tomatically eep thetable 1 in proper balance. The two cables 51, one on each side of the table, are passed around end pulleys 52 and 53 and are connected to the tube box carriage 28 through the turn buckles 54 and take-up spring's55. The counterweight. 50

has laterally projecting arms 56 in which are to the left, as show-nin Figs. 1,2, and 7, it re mains there, the stretch of the cable carrying the stop 59 passing idlythrough the hole 57, the stop 59 moving back and forth. at the right of the counterweight without engaging it. This permits the tube Box to be moved back and forth to all positi ns when the table is horizontal without moving the counterweight 50. However, as soon as the tableis tilted, the counterweight 50 slides down the tracks 26 and engages the stop 59 so as to automatically counterbalance the box. Instead of the stop 59 and hole 57 connection, the cable may, if preferred, be positively connected to the counterweight so that the counterweight is moved by the cable even when the table is horizontal. In order to accurately adjust the counterweight50, cavities 61 are provided in which may be placed adjusting weights 62 in order to accurately adjust the counterweight or to compensate for changes'in the weight 'of the contents of the tube box. In addition to the movable counterweight 50, a fixed counterweight 63 is provided at the foot of the table 1.

The counterweight 50 has a limited movement between the pivotal'mounting of the table and the end of the table and is made narrow so as to occupy the minimum space longitudinally of the table. By so forming the counterweight 50, the counterweight and tube'box have maximum movements longitudinally of the table, The counterweight 50 is so mounted on its tracks by-the antifriction ball bearing rollers that it will run to the lower end of the table by gravity when the table is but slightly inclined so that the table is correctly counterweighted when tilted but slightly from the horizontal. The counterweight is of substantially the same weight as the movable tube box and tube box carriage and is so connected by the cables 51 that the center of gravity of the tube box and carriage, and the center of gravity of the counterweight 50 are located substantially the same distances on the opposite sides of the pivotal table support 2, in whatever position the tube box and counterweight may assume when the counterweight is operative. The turning moment of the counterweight about the ,pivotalsupport 2 is, therefore, substantially equal to the count'erbalancing turning moment ex erted by the tube box and carriage.

A fluoroscopic screen is movably connected to the table for use when the table is in vertical position as shown in Fig. 3. Removably secured to the top of the table are two arms 71 having pulleys 72 over which pass cables 73 which support the fluoroscopic screen 70. The ends of the cables 73 are provided with hooks 74 by means of which they are removably connected with eyes 75. carried by the cables 51. As will be apparent from Fig. 3 the fluoroscopic screen 70 automatically follows the vertical movement of the tube box 25 it is shifted up and down over the examination area 16. Projecting from the upper part of the table 1 are two insulating posts 8081, one

longer than the other in order to more widely separate the conductors carried at their ends. Connected between the ends of these posts and the tube box are self-winding conductors 82. As the tube box is shifted in position with respect to the table 1, the conductors 82 automatically lengthen and shorten so as to be kept taut. The self-winding conductors 82 are connected to conductors inclosed in insulating sleeves 83 and 84 projecting from the end of the tube box 25.. Projecting from the same end of [the tube box is an insulating sleeve 85 carrying a pivotally mounted arm 86 which is electrically connected to a chemical .chamher on the X-ray tube inclosed in the box for the purpose of adjusting the vacuum, as described for example in'the Sayen Patent No. 594,036. A cord 87 is connected to the arm 86 so that by pulling the cord, the arm 86 may be turned to draw a spark from one of the conductors at the end of the sleeves 83-84 in order-to re ulate the vacuum in the tube. The cord 8 is brought through an eye 88 on the bracket 41 in'position'to be conveniently. grasped by-the operator.

ble conductors 9 091 carried by projecting The electrlcal connections with the exter-v nal c1rcu1t are made by means of two'flexiis'o namely,

' table is turned horizontal.

a lower set 111 (Fig.

fingers 9293 on the posts 80-81. The con- ,ductors 9091 are preferably self-winding conductors so that as the table is tilted they will be kept taut. The end of the stand 3 has no cross rail between the left hand ends of the top rails 6 and 10 so that the table may be turned to a horizontal position and the fingers 92 and 93 pass freely into the open endof the stand. It will be noted, as shown in Fig. 2, that the fingers 92-93 extend beyond the end of the stand. 3 so that if the conductors 90-91 are stretched obliquely with respect to the table, they Will not be grounded on the stand;

The rear side portion 5 of the stand 3 is somewhat longer than the front side portion" 4 and carries a track-102 upon which is supported by means ofrollers 103 the foot of a tube carrying standard 104. The rear side frame 5 is long enough so that the tube stand 104 may be moved the necessary distance in front of the table while the front side frame 4 is made shorter so as not to interfere with the operator who stands at the front of the table as-viewed in Fig. 3. The standard 104 is provided with three rolls 105 which engage the top rail 10. The tube'carrying standard 104 is provided for carrying an X-ray tube which, by suitable clamps, may be vertically positioned along the standard 104 and horizontally positioned by sliding the standard 104 along the track 102. The X-ray tube which is attached to the stand ard 104 is used for radiographic purposes, while the X-ray tube inclosed in the tube box 25 is used principally for fluoroscopic examination, although it may be used for radiographic purposes by placing a plate holder on the opposite side of-the patient.

As above pointed out. the side frames of the stand 3 are connected at three points,

the end bottom rail 14 and the bottom cross brace 15. This gives the stand suflicient rigidity while permitting the left hand end of the stand to be open so as not to interfere with the conductors 90 and 91 when the This construction also permits the right hand end of the stand to be entirely open and unobstructed bv any connections between either the top or the bottom rails. so that, as shown in Fig. 3, there is nothing to interfere with the table or patient when the table is tilted or in a vertical position The tube box 25 is lead sheathed to protect the patient and operator. The top of the tube box is provided with an adjustable stop or diaphragnis to vary the area. of exposure to the rays of the X-ray tube within the tube box The adiustable stop consists of two upper set 110 and Each set of dia phragms comprises two relatively movable plates, the plates of the upper set extendsets of diaphragms. an

by pivotal connection 2 of the table,-

able plate holders 140 ing transversely of thetable and the plates of the lower set extending longitudinally of the table so that, as the plates are separated a rectangular orifice. is formed. The upper I set consists of the two plates 112-113 conto the upper set. This type of adjustable stop is well known in the art.

In order to operate the stop, two links 120121 are connected to the diaphragm plate actuating levers and-are brought out to the end of the bracket-41 where they are connected to levers 122 and 123. The lever 122 is connected to a hub 124 mounted on an upright spindle 125 secured to the end of the bracket 41. At the upper end of the hub 124 is splined a handle 126 by which the operator may turn the lever 122. The lever 123 is attached to a hub 127 which cares a handle 128 by means of which the operator may turn the lever 123. A spring 129 is interposed between the handles 126 and 128. The operator by pressing down the handle 126 against this spring, may connect the handles 126 and 128 by means of the pin 130 so as to turn both handles together. When both handles are turned together, the two sets of diaphragm plates are simultaneously opened or closed, as the case may be. The bracket 41 not only serves as a support handles 40, 126 and 128, by means of which for the end of the cord 87 and the the various parts are manipulated, but also serves as a handle by means of which the operator can shift the tube boX both longitudinallyand laterally. Thus, the operator has a universalcontrol of the table and its mechanism under one hand.

When the table is used for radiographic Work, photographic plates are held in suitand 141 slidably mounted in the table. The plate holders may be shifted by means of a spring 142/ When the plate in the plate holder 140 is to be used the spring is compressed and held by means of a latch 143 and stud 144. By releasing the latch 143 the spring shifts the plate holder 140 from the examination area and presents the plate holder 141.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment but may be embodied in other constructions within the scope of the following claims: V

1. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a. stand. a tabletiltably mounted on the stand, and arranged to be turned to different angular positions, and an X-ray tube mounted to be carried with the table when it is tilted.

2(X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand to be turned to different angular positions, and an X-ray tube carried by the table tofollow its movement when it is angularly moved, said X-ray tube being-universally movabletin a plane parallel to the table irrespective of the angular adjustment of the table.

3. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand, means for locking the table in different angular positions, a tube box slid-' ably mounted on the table, a counterweight connected to the tube box for counterbalancing it in its diflerent positionswhen the a table is inclined.

4:. X-ray. apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand, a tube box, a counterweight, a

' cable connecting the tube box with the coun-v terweight having a stop upon which the counterweight is supported when the table is 'vertical or inclined, but which is free of the counterweight when the table is horizontal.

5. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted upon the stand, a tube box carried by the table, a counterweight, and connections between the box and the counterweight for counterbalancing the box when the table is in an upright or oblique position but permitting movement of the box independently of the counterweight when the table is horizontal.

6. X-ray apparatus havlng, 1n comblnation, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on slidably mounted members, a stop carried on' the cable, said cable being connected with one of-said slidably mounted members, the other one ofsaid members being provided with an aperture through which the cable may play when the table is horizontal but which is brought against the 'stop' when the table is in the vertical or angular position.

8. Xray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand, a tube box mounted on the table to move with it as'the table is tilted, the tube boxbeing mounted to be moved by the operator transversely and longitudinally of the table. v

9. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a table, a tube box mounted on the table, a stop comprising two sets of dianhragm plates :l'or varying the stop aperfor operating the two sets of diaphragms simultaneously.

10. -X-ray. apparatus having, in combinat on, an open-ended frame or stand, a table tiltably mounted upon said stand, conductors connected to said table and moved with the table into the open endof the stand when the table is in a horizontal position.

11. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand, tracks carried by the table, a carriage mounted to slide on the tracks and having transverse tracks, a tube box mounted to slide on said transverse tracks, and means for independently locking the tube box against longitudinal and transverse movement .with respect to the table. I

12. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a table capable of assuming a substantially vertical position, a tube box mounted on the table to be moved up and down along the table, a counterweight, a cable connecting the tube box and its counterweight, a

fluoroscopic screen hung in front of the table, and a cable connecting the fluoroscopic screen with the cable which connects the box and the counterweight so as to cause the fluoroscopic screen .to' follow the movement of the box.

13. X-ray-apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table pivotally mounted on the stand, a tube box movable longitudinally of the table, 'and a narrow counterweight connected to and counterbalancing the tube box.

14:. X-rayapparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table pivotally mounted on the stand, a tube box movable longitudinally of the table, a narrow counterweight movable longitudinally of the table and having a movement nearly equal to the distance 'from the pivotal mounting of the table to the end of the table.

15. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table tiltably mounted on the stand, tracks carried by the table, a tube box slidably. mounted on the tracks, a counterweightslidably mounted on the tracks.

cable pulleys at both ends of the table, and acable connection passing over said pulleys and connecting the tube box and counterweight so' as to move them in opposite directions.- I

' 16. X-ray apparatus having, in comb ation, a stand, a table pivotally mounted on the stand, a tube box movable longitudinally 4 of the table, a counterweight movable longitudinally of the table, and connections between the tube box and counterweight for relatively positioning them so that the center of. gravity of the tubebox and centerof gravity of the counterweight will both be positioned substantially the same distance upon opposite sides of the pivotal mounting of the table.

17.. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand, a table pivotally mounted on the stand, a tube box movable longitudinally of the table, a counterweight also movable longitudinally of the table, and connections between the tube box and counterweight for relatively moving them so that the turning moment exerted by the counterweight about the pivotal mounting of the table is substantially equal to the turning moment exerted by the tube box.

18. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a supporting stand comprising side frames, a table tiltably supported upon said side frames, the side frame at the side of the stand next the operator being shorter than the side frame on the other side of the table,

19. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand having side frames, a table tiltably supported on the side frames, the side frame at the side of the stand next the op.- erator being shorter than the table, While the side frame at the side of the stand opposite the operator is substantially equal to the length of the table.

20. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand comprising side frames having top and bottom rails, a "table pivotally mounted on the top rails, the top rails being connected at their ends and the bottom rails being connected at one end only.

21. X-ray apparatus having, in combination, a stand having side frames, a table pivotally mounted on the side frames, a single' connection between the tops of the side frames formed at the pivotal mounting of the table, and connections between the bot toms of the side members at the middle portions and one end only thereof.

' CHARLES E. CAMPBELL. 

